Fiscal crisis looms over State of the State speech

SACRAMENTO, Calif. 
Gov. Jerry Brown will deliver his State of the State address next week amid a grim financial backdrop that prompted him to propose a combination of tax increases and deep spending cuts.

Brown will address a joint session of the Legislature at 5 p.m. Monday. The timing of the speech coincides with the beginning of the evening newscasts.

California faces a $25.4 billion deficit through June 2012. To close the gap, the Democratic governor has proposed $12.5 billion in spending cuts and borrowing, plus extending a series of temporary taxes in a June special election.

During his inauguration earlier this month, Brown warned that "the year ahead will demand courage and sacrifice."